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00:002024 China, the beast is back.
00:17Are you ready to beat your riders?
00:20It all comes down to this moment.
00:22Real question right now.
00:24Who is on top?
00:30What's up V's family and welcome back to the V's World Series
00:34here in Shanghai on the West Bank of the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China.
00:40Yesterday we had the World Skate Roller Freestyle Park World Cup Women's Finals
00:45and now this morning we're getting ready for the Men's Finals actually.
00:50My name is Egon.
00:51I'll be your host for today and here in the studio with me
00:54it is the Zinedine Zidane of Roller Freestyle.
00:57It's Freddie White.
00:59Okay, I was not expecting that one.
01:01Good morning everyone and thank you for welcoming me back on this wonderful event, Egon.
01:09Pleasure to be here, five years since our last event here in China with V's.
01:14A new location, amazing venue, wonderful weather almost.
01:19We've got some raindrops now but it's looking pretty clear on the course.
01:24We'll have a look at the data right now, so it's 21 degrees
01:28but the humidity is absolutely impossible to deal with for some riders.
01:34It was pretty tough yesterday because it was also a lot warmer
01:37so skating for an hour or two you'd literally be sweating your whole body weight in water.
01:45Not so easy to ride.
01:46I think it adds some impact on some of the performances of the riders on the course you were asking about it
01:51given what we've seen for the qualifiers for men.
01:54Definitely a couple of falls, a couple of exhaustion falls I would call them
01:58that cost some of the riders their spot.
02:00Talking about the course, it is big, it is immense, it is creative.
02:05It is another work by Hurricane Parks and the Genius Mind of Pascal Moras.
02:11It is a wonderful skatepark, really tricky though.
02:14A lot of not so common obstacles.
02:16Riders have had to adapt to a new transition, new structures
02:22and it is indeed straight out of the mad scientist mind of Pascal Moras
02:28who is celebrating his birthday today.
02:30He's not supposed to let everyone know but I have some inside information.
02:37So thank you and happy birthday Pascal, thank you for this beautiful park.
02:40So we'll probably be celebrating that.
02:43Also the park has some new features, some new technology that they are using
02:47to make the ramps more rigid.
02:49And also I think they have two new types of coping as well.
02:54Yes, that's what I heard.
02:57That's what they call the noping and coping technology.
03:03I guess you can move the coping more or less depending on what the riders like the most.
03:09So it's pretty much perfect for every style of riding.
03:12Definitely a lot of work went in to offer our riders the best course possible.
03:20So let's take a look at that competition format.
03:22For this final we will have two heats of six riders
03:26and just like yesterday they each get two runs of 50 seconds.
03:31Best of those two runs will count for the final score of our riders.
03:38And it is indeed a little wet on the course.
03:41I can see the crew working in the background
03:43making sure the conditions for riding are absolutely perfect
03:47despite this 80% humidity.
03:52I mean this is the only downside with the unstable weather here in Shanghai.
03:55I mean it can have a forecast of rain but it can stay dry all day.
04:01Absolutely.
04:02Unfortunately on a day like this it seems that it is...
04:08It's not a downpour I mean it's just like some raindrops but still...
04:12Yeah a little drizzle.
04:16Let's see.
04:17One thing is for sure we will not let the riders get started
04:21until the park is absolutely dry and suiting for the top riding.
04:30Now when judging these runs what will the judges be looking for?
04:34A lot of different things.
04:36The technical difficulty of course but the amplitude,
04:39the use of the course, the creative flair that the riders can bring to their runs,
04:44the variety of tricks of course, how much risk, how clean they're skating.
04:49A lot of factors and that's why we've got a panel of experts in the sports
04:55to help bring the rankings, to help deliver the rankings.
05:01Because as we've mentioned it's a lot of different criteria
05:04because it's freestyle sports right?
05:06So you have to look at a lot of different things,
05:08not just how technical the riding may be but also how creative those riders will go.
05:15I like the idea that it's a personal interpretation of the course
05:19and especially on such a diverse and open course
05:21I don't think we'll see the same run twice.
05:23Everybody will bring their own specific flavor to this Shanghai Freestyle Park.
05:29From what I saw yesterday as a inline skate amateur,
05:33some riders were more focused on the grinds in the park,
05:36some riders were more transition focused, a bit more street style.
05:41I think what our four judges are looking for is the best combination of all those.
05:48We have Blake Bird with our head judge CJ Welsmore and Soichiro Kanashima
05:55along with the park builder and birthday boy Pascal Moras.
06:02I think what they look for is the best mix of both flips, spins and grinding.
06:08All right so we have some highlights from the semi-finals.
06:20You can see a lot of big flips and spins on that fly box
06:25but also huge transfers from the side.
06:29Big amplitude of course.
06:31These are some of the very best riders in the world.
06:34You can see here Danilo flying over the course.
06:37Takeshi, the vert legend, still ripping and going really strong.
06:43And the Pagoda, he was wondering if someone was going to grind this one
06:46and Diaco Diaby back from Las Vegas was the one to do it.
06:53Now only 12 riders could make the category
06:55but unfortunately the news just came in that Julien Cudeau,
06:59the winner of FIS Montpellier in May, is not riding.
07:03I think it was a shoulder injury?
07:05Yeah, he fell pretty hard yesterday in the qualifier, in the second run.
07:10And yeah, like took a fall straight to the shoulder.
07:16So let's see who's going to be riding with us today.
07:29Let's go.
07:38All right, we are back once again.
07:41I can't believe they keep bringing me to do this.
07:44Best time in the world here at FIS Shanghai 2024.
07:50We're putting together the World Skate World Championships here just for you.
07:55We're going to get right into our rider introductions.
08:00Our first rider from Italy, Gianluca Assunis.
08:12Our second rider, also from Italy, Massimiliano Manzatti.
08:20The Italians, Forza Azzurri.
08:23Our local rider from Shaanxi, China, Chuxiao Xu.
08:33Up next, from Shizuoka, Japan, Ayumu Hirano.
08:44All the way from South Korea, 15 years old, Kim Young Woo.
08:54Our youngest competitor out here today, from Hyogo, Japan, Shimizu Haruhi.
09:04Super strong up and comer, fifth in Rome last month at the World Skate Games.
09:08Our next rider, from France, 19 years old, it's Leni Jordan.
09:17Another strong contender, placed third in the finals in Montpellier.
09:21World Skate World Championship, from Japan, Takeshi Yasutoko.
09:30Your second place qualifier, 18 years old, from Brazil, it's Danilo Senna.
09:42And your first place qualifier, from Paris, France, Diaco Diaby.
09:54And the comeback kid.
09:55Alright, we've got one hell of a contest coming up, so stick around on your livecast to see what's gonna happen.
10:07Let's see indeed.
10:09Still working on the course, I see.
10:11As AJ mentioned, we will have to hold on for a couple of minutes, so the V-screw can sweep up the park.
10:22They're working on it.
10:23We've got a dedicated crew of gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, working on the course, on every course actually.
10:30We've got several of those all around the venue.
10:33We've got three massive skateparks, a perfect flatland course.
10:38Pascal was saying, for once, not a single negative remark was coming from the riders.
10:43Everything absolutely perfect this time.
10:46So now we just hope the rain will give us a little break.
10:50And bless you, my dear.
10:55Sorry, I was just sneezing off-camera.
10:59You kept it very discreet, but had to let our viewers know.
11:06And that does look pretty wet.
11:09It's not raining anymore.
11:11So we probably need a little more time to get ready, but we have a couple of treats coming your way in a second.
11:19Let's now see.
11:21Did you already go and explore the city?
11:23Not yet this time, actually.
11:25I flew in and arrived late at night and went straight to the venue.
11:29So besides a little dinner yesterday, I didn't get to do anything.
11:33OK, we'll have a quick little video for you to see the city.
11:36What's up, Peace family? Peace World is back.
11:39It's been five years since Chengdu, and now we're back in China,
11:42here on the west bank of the Huangpu River in the metropolis of Shanghai.
11:47We'll be sharing the peace atmosphere with them while we explore the city with our athletes.
12:06The journey starts off at the Longshuang Temple Complex,
12:25a complex that has a history of over 1700 years here in the middle of Shanghai.
12:30And every day, thousands of people come around to pay their respects to the rich culture that they also offer.
12:36Amid all the hustle and bustle, there's also places of peace and quiet in Shanghai.
12:46Right now, we're in the Xushawei District, which was one of the first Catholic strongholds in East Asia,
12:51with St. Ignatius Cathedral being the first center point of it.
13:06And so our odyssey has come to an end.
13:14And it feels like we've only just scraped the surface of what Shanghai has to offer, leaving us with a hunger.
13:20But it's that hunger that will fuel the athletes and riders to keep on exploring and stay curious.
13:26And who knows, where will peace take us next?
13:30Well, thank you for taking me on a tour of the city.
13:33I have a lot more to explore indeed.
13:36Hopefully today we have a little time in the evening.
13:39There are some parties planned, some dinners planned.
13:43Everybody's exploring the city a bit more, I guess.
13:47Everybody's taking their marks.
13:49It's the first time in Shanghai for fees, so we tend to make the city ours.
13:53Everybody's just going their way and sharing tips.
13:56Where's the best dumplings, especially?
13:58If anyone knows, please send me a list.
14:01And I'll make sure to explore all of these spots just for you and bring you the best dumplings with you.
14:08My recommendation would be you have to take the metro all the way to the actual Bund.
14:13Because we're on the West Bund right now, but the actual Bund.
14:15And go and see the Shanghai Pearl Tower, all the high-rise buildings.
14:19The light show is going on in those buildings.
14:21It is insane to see.
14:24Sounds like a plan.
14:27And also a lot of, let's say, weird street food.
14:30I mean, that we're not used to in Europe.
14:32I've seen scorpions.
14:34I've seen cockroaches, like fried cockroaches.
14:37And I've heard it's not too bad, actually.
14:41All right, scorpions.
14:43I'll start with the dumplings, though.
14:45Stay in my comfort zone for a little bit.
14:47And then we'll maybe go a little weirder.
14:52Rain has stopped, we've been told.
14:54And the crew is still working.
14:57It will take a little bit of time and a little bit of work to dry everything.
15:02But the material that that Hurricane Park uses tends to dry quite quickly.
15:07Absolutely. Super grippy as well.
15:09And great, great paint.
15:11Now, this is the last roller discipline of the weekend, right?
15:16So that means...
15:17For the pro.
15:18For the pro riders.
15:19Absolutely.
15:20But we still have a junior competition today.
15:22And the amateur contest taking place in the other skatepark.
15:27One of the other skateparks built here in Shanghai.
15:31Only this one will stay in Shanghai.
15:33It's a permanent park.
15:34Also straight out of the sick mind of Pascal.
15:38Really, really creative, beautiful skatepark.
15:41A lot of elements is taken from this place, actually.
15:45We got a boat on course.
15:46We got a lot of containers, a forklift, a lot of really weird obstacles.
15:52It takes some time getting used to it.
15:54But very, very fun to ride.
15:56So I'm curious to see what the Chinese riders who get to skate this place for the next year, for instance,
16:01what they will bring next year.
16:03Because once you get used to such a tricky structure, tricky obstacles,
16:08you can let your mind go wild as well.
16:11I think the main inspiration for that park was, let's say, Port of Shanghai.
16:16If I'm not mistaken, Port of Shanghai is the biggest port in the world?
16:19Yeah.
16:21Yeah, that's why there are all these containers.
16:24There's a literal boat on the course.
16:27He's gone a little mad on that one.
16:31So yeah, we have a couple of contests taking place here today.
16:36And this one is a roof on top.
16:41Now we will take a look at the highlight of what happened here already at FIS World Series in Shanghai.
16:51What's up, FIS family?
16:52It's day one here at the FIS World Series in Shanghai.
16:55There's going to be tons of action happening on BMX Park, on the skate park,
16:59but also for the visitors.
17:00There's a lot for them to do here as well.
17:01Let's go and check it out.
17:04Can I try it?
17:05I'm just going to get on.
17:06I'm just going to eat shit with a microphone again.
17:08Professional.
17:10Man, I'm getting really good at this.
17:12There's so much going on at FIS here in Shanghai.
17:14Like, I don't even know what this game is called, but I can win stuff.
17:18No.
17:19Second one.
17:20I'm not wearing my glasses.
17:21That's the whole thing.
17:23At least we tried.
17:24Le coq sportif.
17:25So we're even introducing French fashion culture.
17:28You've got to have fast glasses for all the fast action going on.
17:31We've got Canadians coming over.
17:33Hello, how are you?
17:34Oh, no.
17:35Wrong language.
17:36Can we do the huge kendama?
17:38Hey!
17:39First try.
17:41New kendama pass.
17:42Before a burst spin.
17:43Okay.
17:48Hey!
17:49Another exclusive.
17:50This is the first time I've ever done this.
17:52I've never done this before.
17:53I've never done this before.
17:54I've never done this before.
17:55I've never done this before.
17:56I've never done this before.
17:57Another exclusive.
17:58This is the first piece where we have not just one, but two mascots.
18:01And there's even symbolism to it.
18:02We've got the big one, the French one.
18:04It's called Oh.
18:05And the small one from Shanghai.
18:06It's called Yeah.
18:07Meet Oh Yeah.
18:09And in case a rider falls, we always have these band-aids.
18:13I've got to get this.
18:14Soft to the touch.
18:17So that was a little day one recap of what happened here at FIES World Series in Shanghai.
18:32And it looks like you're having quite a lot of fun on this FIES venue.
18:39But you got to explore the city and the venue itself is massive.
18:43We got many, many, many shops.
18:45And yeah, quite impressive to see.
18:50I mean, the merchandise store is like a shopping mall.
18:53Like there's t-shirts, there's band-aids, blankets.
18:58So if you want to get comfy on the couch and watch inline skating videos,
19:02just get the FIES World Series blanket, which as well.
19:06And yeah, quite possibly some umbrellas.
19:09I see our crowd here has come prepared.
19:13But it looks like the floor looks better.
19:16From the looks of our booth, it has stopped raining.
19:19It's dry again.
19:23And the crew is still working hard.
19:25Yes, let's keep our fingers crossed for this one.
19:30So let's see. We'll keep you posted.
19:32Of course, we're staying live with you until the park is absolutely impeccable
19:38and ready for our riders to take flight.
19:41Now, let's talk about our list of riders for this finals.
19:44We were talking about the comeback kit, about Diaco Diaby.
19:48I've heard a lot about Diaco Diaby.
19:50I've heard a lot about Diaco Diaby.
19:52I've heard a lot about Diaco Diaby.
19:54I've heard a lot about Diaco Diaby.
19:56I've heard a lot about Diaco Diaby.
19:58I've heard he's a circus artist.
20:00Yeah, he is, or was.
20:02He was working in Las Vegas for a couple of years
20:05on one of the longest-running shows from Cirque du Soleil.
20:10He was doing the Beatles show in Las Vegas, which I think came to an end.
20:15So he just came back to France and is back on the competition circuit.
20:18It's the first time I've seen him in a couple of years now.
20:20You know, I'm an artist myself. I am a mascot artist.
20:24Yes, let's see it.
20:29My favorite mascot.
20:30What's up, FIS family?
20:32It's day two here today at the FIS World Series in Shanghai.
20:35Hey, Lucy.
20:36What do you mean the intern's not here?
20:38I'm not getting in the suit. It's not in my contract.
20:51I'm going to chase him.
20:54Just hanging out with my friends here.
20:58I'm going to chase him.
21:03Namaste.
21:05What are we having?
21:08I'm stuck.
21:10Ah! Ah!
21:26This is a PSA to everyone watching.
21:28Respect your local mascots.
21:31I'm out.
21:36Well, I wonder what's in your contract.
21:38You look very, very good in that outfit.
21:40I know.
21:41I'm just wondering why you don't wear it now.
21:44Because it was insanely hot in that mascot suit.
21:47Yeah, it must have been the worst time to do it as well.
21:49The hottest day.
21:50I mean, if it was yesterday, I would have died probably.
21:54That would be the first mascot-related death in history of FIS.
21:59Yeah, but you made some mascot friends as well.
22:01I saw some sandwiches walking around.
22:03Yeah, the subway people.
22:05Yesterday, one of them was walking around without his head because it was so hot here.
22:10Headless sandwich.
22:12So, to everyone watching, if you're ever at a theme park, don't go and mess with the mascots on a hot day.
22:19They're already having a terrible day. Don't make it worse.
22:22I would say don't mess with mascots in general.
22:25There are some well-known beefs in the NBA.
22:28For instance, each team has their mascots.
22:30And some players are especially known for fighting mascots of the opposing teams.
22:39Maybe we'll have a battle of the mascots next year.
22:42Is there an X-Games mascot?
22:44Should the FIS mascot fight the X-Games mascot?
22:50That's a pitch.
22:53That's a pitch.
22:58But yeah, we mentioned Diakhod Yabi just before.
23:02He's indeed back on the competition circuit.
23:06As you can tell, he was skating every day.
23:09I guess he had a couple of shows, or at least a show every day in Las Vegas.
23:14So, his form is still top-notch.
23:16He was flying over the course yesterday.
23:19And he was in full relaxed form, as we got to get used to.
23:24With Diakhod always chilling, always smiling.
23:26But yet, performing at a very, very high level.
23:29Flying over the park, qualified in first place.
23:32So, he's definitely one of those riders we got to watch very carefully today.
23:37Because he's one of the main contenders on this skatepark.
23:43The crew is still sweeping the last bits of the park.
23:48To make sure everything is completely dry.
23:55Looks like quite a bit of work.
24:00Maybe we should just build a very small skatepark.
24:02So, we don't have to have this much work, this much staff.
24:07The top right part looks completely dry already.
24:11Yeah, now they're working on the bottom.
24:16Should take another, I think, 10 minutes.
24:18Most probably.
24:19So, to all of you watching, FIS family, please stay with us.
24:25We got a wonderful show coming to your home right now.
24:30Or at least, if you give us a couple of minutes, we'll make sure.
24:33We got some nice stuff to show you.
24:35So, if you're just tuning in, we are here at the FIS World Series in Shanghai.
24:40And we're getting ready for the World Skate Roller Freestyle Park Finals.
24:44In the Men's World Cup.
24:46We just had a bit of a drizzle here in Shanghai.
24:49In this 20 degree weather.
24:51But luckily, the rain has stopped.
24:54The crew is sweeping up the park.
24:57And we should be ready any minute now.
25:00And we should be ready any minute now.
25:03So, if you're watching at home, maybe now is the time to go and make a coffee.
25:09Or your breakfast.
25:11Go to the toilet real quick.
25:14Coffee does sound wonderful right now.
25:17For us, it's still early in the morning.
25:20Almost 10 now in Shanghai.
25:23If you have to deal with the jet lag, I guarantee you, it doesn't feel like 10, but more like 5.
25:285 am.
25:32So, for people in Western Europe, it is 4 o'clock in the morning right now.
25:39That's how it feels in my head.
25:41So, if you just came back from clubbing and you thought,
25:44I'm going to watch the finals of roller freestyle, welcome to this live stream.
25:48Join the party.
25:50If you're watching from the US, it must be 12 o'clock at night.
25:57Something like that.
25:59Depending where in the US.
26:05I think East Coast would be a...
26:09I'd assume a 10 hour difference.
26:13I think 12 hours difference.
26:15I think it's about 10 pm in Miami, Florida.
26:19So, for now, you're just perfectly in time to watch those finals with us.
26:26And while I'm at it, shout out to Mr. Zak Polak.
26:30Can't wait to see you next week, my dear.
26:32Frankie Marless Invitational.
26:34Shout out to Frankie for putting out yet another incredible event.
26:38We have fees this weekend for this World Skate World Series in Shanghai.
26:44Frankie Marless Invitational next weekend in Miami.
26:47And Blading Cup the following weekend in Santa Ana, California.
26:50So, the end of the year is packed with some very high-level, high-quality skating action.
26:57Now, what you can see in the background is Tank Shanghai.
27:04What is Tank?
27:05It's a non-profit art institution with a multifunctional art gallery.
27:11Now, there's a bit of history to it as well.
27:13Because if you go down the street, like just two streets from the venue,
27:17this used to be Shanghai Longhua Airport, the whole West Bund district.
27:22Really?
27:23Yeah. But they decommissioned it in 1966.
27:26And I think they used it for maybe private jets and aircrafts.
27:31But they actually used these tanks to fuel the planes that landed here at Longhua.
27:37I understand. But how do you know all this?
27:39How long have you been in Shanghai?
27:42I've been here since Sunday morning, 5 o'clock.
27:47Wait, I got to the hotel at 7.
27:49So, I left from Belgium, from Brussels at 12 noon.
27:55So, last Saturday.
27:58Arrived here with the plane at 5 in the morning on Sunday.
28:02And then I just got started with my day.
28:05I just joined the construction crew to go and watch the whole venue, the construction going on.
28:10And as I was riding the bus all the way over here,
28:13I did a bit of a history lesson on the West Bund.
28:16So, as I said, this used to be the Longhua Airport decommissioned in 1966.
28:20And then the tanks that we see were the fuel tanks.
28:23So, they had all the kerosene and all the fuel in there.
28:27But now, what is happening around the West Bund, this is a new up-and-coming district.
28:31So, we have the original Bund up north.
28:34So, more downstream from the Huangpu River.
28:38But this West Bund district is an up-and-coming district with offices of, let's say, an Alibaba.
28:46You know, the e-commerce website.
28:48There's a lot of financial tech, medical tech, startups.
28:53The McDonald's Hamburg University is here as well.
28:57Maybe you should find the McDonald's mascot next time.
29:01No, it's actually a business school.
29:04To go and find a job in hospitality and retail.
29:09And their admission rate is less than 1%.
29:14You better know how to make a good burger if you want to join the hospitality industry.
29:18If you really want to brag about your education, try to get into the Hamburg University of McDonald's.
29:27I was not expecting that, to be fair.
29:30They have a buzzing district.
29:32Just walking around yesterday.
29:34I mean, the venue itself is so big.
29:36Going from one skatepark to the other, you have a nice 15-minute walk.
29:43And you see a lot of activity.
29:45Lots of malls also growing in that area.
29:48A lot of people just hanging out.
29:50Pretty chill vibe.
29:53And also, next month, here in the West Bund, they'll have the West Bund Art and Design Fair as well.
29:58Which is an annual international contemporary art fair that has been held here since 2014.
30:06Are you staying until next month?
30:08No, I'm actually leaving Sunday.
30:11So after the last competition, we'll probably be here to celebrate the wonderful feast that we've had.
30:19But then it's back on a plane.
30:22I'll arrive at 7 or 8 in the morning in Brussels.
30:25Then it's actually back straight to my office job.
30:29Pretty intense week.
30:31But just one week to become a full-on Shanghai local.
30:35Pretty successful trip for you, I would say.
30:38Just gonna hurt a little bit on Monday morning.
30:55Okay, so we just got the update that the competition is on weather hold.
31:02The next update will be here in 10 minutes.
31:05So I assume the riders will be having a quick safety briefing.
31:11Maybe with some World Skate officials as well.
31:15To check on the competition and if we will continue.
31:19I imagine they'll be given a little bit of warm-up again as well.
31:24Just to make sure first that the park is actually safe to ride and just to get their legs warm again.
31:31Has this happened before at other World Skate competitions?
31:34It's happened.
31:36The thing is now with this being like a full-on World Skate event as well.
31:41I'm pretty sure there's very strict rules.
31:44I'm pretty sure there's very strict rules or at least very specific guidelines on what to do in such an occasion.
31:51So we have a technical advisor here also for World Skate.
31:55Who's gonna make sure everything is absolutely perfect for the riders.
32:00And for the contest to take place in the best conditions.
32:04Okay, so we will wait until 10 minutes past 10.
32:09So if you're watching, take your time.
32:13Get a drink, get a snack and we will be back in 10 minutes.
32:18See you in 10.
32:3810 minutes.
33:08Alright, we have cancelled the contest for this morning.
33:29If possible, return at 3.45.
33:34If BMX wraps up, we will try to get the contest in at 3.45.
33:39But for this morning, it's cancelled.
34:03So we are forced to cancel the contest.
34:08If possible, return at 3.35.
34:13If it doesn't rain, return at 3.35.